Bad mood, meet iPod shuffle and dissipate.

I clocked out tonight with a deep level of frustration clouding my mood. I'm thinking of two small incidents from earlier in the evening.

One person laughs sweetly as she remembers that she has no cash on her to tip me with. She's nice enough and very pleasant, but she just doesn't seem bothered by this at all. She's simply tickled. I'm simply ticked. I finish helping her with her luggage, smile and wish her a good stay. (sigh)

Another lays into me about her wait as I pick her up at the airport. I've done nothing wrong. I'm merely doing my job. Someone's on break and I'm covering his route. I'm on time and helpful as always. No matter. Her wait is my fault. No tip.

Other than that, it was an easy shift. I swept up a lot, read a bit, and enjoyed an otherwise uneventful evening. But my head wouldn't let the facts above rest. What are you doing with your life? Did you envision a life of apologizing to people for things that are not your fault as a career when you were younger? I miss working at the record store. Surrounded by music and by music lovers, I rarely clocked out frustrated.

Anyway, here's my drive home. Its soundtrack took me back to happiness. I'm smiling now.

Shuffle:

iron maiden - "hallowed be thy name" took me from elm hill pike to bell road. i love the strength in this song. its lyrics tell quite the tale as well.

When the priest comes to read me the last rites
I take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me

Can it be theres some sort of error
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
Is it really the end not some crazy dream

the hold steady - "citrus" softened my heart as i stepped away from my anger and gained perspective again.

i feel Jesus in the clumsiness of young and awkward lovers
I feel Judas in the long odds of the rackets on the corners
I feel jesus in the tenements of honest, nervous lovers
I feel Judas in the pistols and the pagers that come with all the powders

newton dominey - "all i need tonite" took me across the dam and to my home. whatever my worries, they're on the other side of the lake. i'm home now and with those who love me. i'm home now.

can't close my lonely eyes
without you walking through my movie
i know how it ends i know the lines
but i watch it every night

frank sinatra - "silent night." i step out of the car and close its door and hear frank sing this beautiful song with perfect dignity. this might be my favorite Christmas song. i walk to my door and it doesn't even occur to me to worry about being too broke to buy for my loved ones.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

christina aguilera - "candyman" plays as i put leash to collar and walk my dog in the quiet night. well, christina's not quiet. i love this song. written by christina and former 4 non blondes singer, linda perry, it's an awesome tribute to the famous "boogie woogie bugle boy" by the andrews sisters.

I met him out for dinner on a Friday night
He really got me working up an appetite
He had tattoos up and down his arm
There's nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm

Thanks for reading.